1996 F45 Suspension Control Module Repair?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
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From: Epping NH
1996 F45 Suspension Control Module Repair?
I think I have a problem with my 1996 suspension control module (pn 16205661), basically I'm seeing 2.2amps being sent to one of my shocks with the key off ...which means dead battery in the morning. As soon as I unplugged the connector going to that shock, my current draw went back to the normal 30 mA, so I'm guessing one of the high voltage transistors in the control module is shorted (FSM on the way this week so taking a WAG here).
The problem though is finding a new module...I'm having a heck of a time finding a used one or even a new one for that matter. Is there anyone who repairs these things?
Is it possible a bad shock would draw 2.2 amps even with key off? Logic is telling me that shouldn't happen with the key off.
The problem though is finding a new module...I'm having a heck of a time finding a used one or even a new one for that matter. Is there anyone who repairs these things?
Is it possible a bad shock would draw 2.2 amps even with key off? Logic is telling me that shouldn't happen with the key off.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Yeah...it is unique to that year and with only 2,896 C4's that got the option I suspect this is going to be a long hunt for used working ETBCM. My FSM's did finally arrive last night, so I'll be doing more troubleshooting this weekend.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 323
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From: Virginia Beach VA
ETBCM you can find very $$$. I think after you do some trouble shooting you will find ETBCM is not the problem.
Hopefully you will find a simple ground in your system because the availablity of replacement F45 parts stinks
Try to find a replacement shock!
Please let us know what you find out with your trouble shooting.
Hopefully you will find a simple ground in your system because the availablity of replacement F45 parts stinks
Try to find a replacement shock!Please let us know what you find out with your trouble shooting.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
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From: Epping NH
Well now that I have the FSM, troubleshooting seems to lead me to the RTD module being bad. Wish I had a schematic of the RTD module since being an EE I could probably fix this easily, but with out that I'm going to try to back trace the circuits. I suspect that a high current voltage regulator has shorted causing current to be sent even with the key off. Of course as luck would have it, I'm not seeing any part numbers on the suspect component so sourcing it will probably be a bitch!
The irony of the whole thing is that each paragraph in the FSM says that the RTD Module is an extremely reliable component and generally not the cause of a problem...excluding my case I guess
!
The irony of the whole thing is that each paragraph in the FSM says that the RTD Module is an extremely reliable component and generally not the cause of a problem...excluding my case I guess
!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Okay final update, my problem has been solved. It was the RTD module that was bad. I was able to get another one from forum member weburke at a very fair price. No sure if he routinely sells parts here, but certainly someone I would have no problem dealing with again 
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Wasn't that the mule for the C5's F45 or Are they the same system?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Epping NH
This was a used system from another 96 vette that had 11,000 miles.
As an EE with background in digital circuits I opened up my bad RTD module and have to say it is well built; why it failed is odd. If I had a schematic of the RTD module I could have probably repaired it myself, but I was unable to match up the part codes on the component(s) I suspected had failed.
As an EE with background in digital circuits I opened up my bad RTD module and have to say it is well built; why it failed is odd. If I had a schematic of the RTD module I could have probably repaired it myself, but I was unable to match up the part codes on the component(s) I suspected had failed.
